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The ISSUE:
Despite the fact that equal opportunity programs, such as affirmative action, have proven to be an effective tool that gives qualified individuals equal access to participate and contribute; access that has been historically denied, they have come under attack again in recent years. Most recently, the US Supreme Court agreed to hear in April a case attacking the equal opportunity admissions program at the University of Michigan law school. Unfortunately, President Bush has announced that he intends to file a brief in support of the plaintiff’s case and against the University’s affirmative action program.
The fact of the matter is that our nation still needs equal opportunity programs in education, employment and contracting. Approximately 18% of all college students are African American, Latino, or American Indian compared with 28% of the college age population. African American men and women comprise less than 2.5% of total employment in the top jobs in the private sector. Based on their number, minority-owned firms received only 57 cents for every federal dollar they would be expected to receive if they were not a minority-owned firm.
Equal opportunity programs are making sure that we have competent, educated leaders from and for all communities in the United States. Equal opportunity programs are the epitome of the great American ideal of self-reliance; they give people the opportunity to help themselves.
WE NEED TO MAKE OUR VOICES HEARD, AND DEMAND THAT EVERY MEMBER OF CONGRESS, AS WELL AS THE PRESIDENT, STAND IN SUPPORT OF EQUAL OPPORTUNITY PROGRAMS INCLUDING AFFIRMATIVE ACTION.
Congressman Danny Davis, D-IL, has introduced a resolution (H. Res. 32) indicating the US House of Representatives’ continuing and unequivocal support for equal opportunity programs.
Columbus, OH NAACP Branch
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF COLORED PEOPLE
233 South High Street, Ste. 207, Columbus, OH 43215
(614) 464-1108 FAX (614) 464-1328
Despite the fact that equal opportunity programs, such as affirmative action, have proven to be an effective tool that gives qualified individuals equal access to participate and contribute; access that has been historically denied, they have come under attack again in recent years. Most recently, the US Supreme Court agreed to hear in April a case attacking the equal opportunity admissions program at the University of Michigan law school. Unfortunately, President Bush has announced that he intends to file a brief in support of the plaintiff’s case and against the University’s affirmative action program.
The fact of the matter is that our nation still needs equal opportunity programs in education, employment and contracting. Approximately 18% of all college students are African American, Latino, or American Indian compared with 28% of the college age population. African American men and women comprise less than 2.5% of total employment in the top jobs in the private sector. Based on their number, minority-owned firms received only 57 cents for every federal dollar they would be expected to receive if they were not a minority-owned firm.
Equal opportunity programs are making sure that we have competent, educated leaders from and for all communities in the United States. Equal opportunity programs are the epitome of the great American ideal of self-reliance; they give people the opportunity to help themselves.
WE NEED TO MAKE OUR VOICES HEARD, AND DEMAND THAT EVERY MEMBER OF CONGRESS, AS WELL AS THE PRESIDENT, STAND IN SUPPORT OF EQUAL OPPORTUNITY PROGRAMS INCLUDING AFFIRMATIVE ACTION.
Congressman Danny Davis, D-IL, has introduced a resolution (H. Res. 32) indicating the US House of Representatives’ continuing and unequivocal support for equal opportunity programs.
Columbus, OH NAACP Branch
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF COLORED PEOPLE
233 South High Street, Ste. 207, Columbus, OH 43215
(614) 464-1108 FAX (614) 464-1328